The Control of Dogs Acts 1986 and 1992 place statutory responsibility for dog control and licensing services on local authorities. Under these Acts, Roscommon County Council has the power to appoint dog wardens, to provide shelters for stray and other dogs, to impose on-the-spot fines for a number of offences and to take court prosecutions. Roscommon County Council’s Policy on Control of Dogs and Dog Breeding Establishments was adopted on 25th April 2016.
Roscommon County Council has entered a contract to manage dog control services within the county, since January 2015. The Dog Pound located at Rockfield, Roscommon is a shelter for the acceptance, detention, and disposal of stray and unwanted dogs.
The Pound is staffed by a Kennel Assistant and is open to the public from Monday to Saturday, 11.00am – 2.00pm. The Dog Warden and Kennel Assistant are authorised officers under the Control of Dogs legislation and Dog Breeding Establishment legislation.
All dog owners are required by law to have a current dog licence.
Dog Licence Fees:
Type of Dog Licence | Description | Cost | Where to purchase Licence |
Individual Dog Licence | Licence for One Dog which must be renewed annually | €20 | Post Office or Roscommon Dog Pound for rehomed dogs |
Lifetime Dog Licence | Licence for the Lifetime of the Dog | €140 | Roscommon County Council |
General Dog Licence | Licence entitling a person to keep an unspecified number of dogs - must be renewed annually | €400 | Roscommon County Council |
Charges that apply to all dogs reclaimed or re-homed:
Cost of re-claiming a restricted breed | €100 + Kennel Charge |
Cost of re-claiming a dog | €10 (if already have dog licence but no microchip) + Kennel Charge |
Cost of re-claiming a dog | €30 ( if no dog licence or micro-chip) + Kennel Charge |
Cost of re-homing | €50 (includes micro-chipping, primary vaccination and dog licence) This charge will be waived to approved welfare organisations |
Surrender Fee | €50 per dog |
Kennel Charge | €15 per day from 2nd day onwards |
Roscommon County Council will re-home a restricted breed to an approved welfare organisation only, following an assessment by Pound management.
Dog Fouling
Under Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, it is an offence for an owner/person in charge of a dog to allow a dog to foul in a public place. The owner/person in charge of the dog is required under this law to remove dog faeces and dispose of it in a suitable, sanitary manner.
Dog Breeding Establishments
The Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 came into force on 1 January 2012. Owners and operators of all dog breeding establishments should strive to achieve the highest possible standards. All dog breeders who have six or more breeding bitches must apply to Roscommon County Council to have their premises inspected and registered. All Dog Breeding Establishments must fulfil certain minimum criteria in respect of hygiene, structure, welfare, worming, vaccination and record keeping.
Dog breeders should contact the Veterinary Section using the contact details above to arrange an inspection of their premises or E-mail: corporateservices@roscommoncoco.ie
Registration fees are as follows:
6 – 18 Bitches | €400 |
19 – 30 Bitches | €800 |
31 – 100 Bitches | €1,600 |
101 – 200 Bitches | €3,000 |
Contact Details
Corporate Services Section,
Roscommon County Council,
Áras an Chontae,
Roscommon,
County Roscommon, F42 VR98.
Telephone: (090) 6637100
E-mail: corporateservices@roscommoncoco.ie
